Brilliant Billionaire Acts Like Chief Twit

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What It’s About: Twitter is in disarray. The following is from the New York Times, Nov. 20: “Employees… having difficulties figuring out who was still on staff, and what areas of infrastructure needed more support to keep things up and running…

One worker who wanted to resign said she had spent two days looking for her manager, whose identity she no longer knew because so many people had quit in the days beforehand. After finally finding her direct supervisor, she tendered her resignation. The next day, her supervisor also quit.

Others were spending hours trying to track down which teams they were on. Some said they were asked to oversee duties they had never handled before.”

CEO and sole Twitter director, Elon Musk, sent a company wide email to remaining employees (after laying off 50 percent) on Nov. 16, insisting that they commit to working "long hours at high intensity" or receive "three months of severance," if they did not consent to these conditions, or support his vision for "Twitter 2.0."

The companywide ultimatum, came after Musk has already fired key Twitter executives, laid off half of Twitter's full-time employees, slashed the number of contractors working with the company, and dismissed veteran engineers at Twitter, (after they criticized him in public, and the company's internal Slack channels.)

So What?: According to CBS and the New York Times, hundreds of employees have resigned and taken Musk up on his offer. How might you feel if you were a Twitter employee? Essentially, your new boss publicly judged half of your teammates as useless, and the remaining as not hard working enough.

Yes, Twitter's strategy and business model needs an overhaul, but Musk publicly humiliating, shaming and berating the people who worked their tails off to grow the company makes him out as an arrogant, tone deaf, tyrant. Just because you're the richest man on Earth doesn’t give you the right to act like an ass, and treat humans poorly. Apparently, Musk dubbed himself as “Chief Twit.” How ironic and perfect.

Now What?: The ONLY way Twitter will be successful going forward is through the creative ingenuity and incredible hard work of PEOPLE, who will stay and/or join to make it work. If you were a talented person remaining at Twitter, why would you stay based on your new boss’s behavior? If you were a top talent elsewhere, how do you think he will treat you going forward? Does he care about you at all? Surely, it has to be more than money or stock options? What about self respect and dignity? Just because Musk is a genius and exceptional visionary, does not mean he deserves you as an employee.

Frankly, I’m appalled at how many brilliant tyrants are still out there, thinking they can abuse and take for granted the people who are THE source of their success. I’m not dismissing the need for high performance and big thinking. We definitely need these bold, creative leaders. However, if they’re that brilliant, then they’re smart enough not to be jerks too. Do not collude by endorsing their behavior. Expect to be treated with respect. You and I are worth it.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

Lorne

One Millennial View: Twitter’s journey will be interesting. Look, if you’re smart enough to earn a position at the tech giant, then you’re likely going to land on your feet elsewhere if you quit and/or were asked to leave. Also, Musk has been rumored to be some sort of Alien robot in the public for his entire career, so no one should be surprised how he operates in an attempt to protect his $44 billion dollar investment without adequately considering the hearts and minds of his people.

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis

One Gen Z View: Elon Musk is inspirational in what he has accomplished but how he treats people shows his level of disconnect from caring for humans. He is showing his lack of care for employees and I think it will be interesting if he has any employees in three months.

- Logan

Brilliant Billionaire Acts Like Chief Twit

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